Sponsorship Jobs in Australia
You might think it’s difficult to find sponsorship jobs in Australia but that’s not true. There are estimated to be over 130,000 in this 2024 alone.
Yes, it’s true that you may frustrations along the way, but don’t let that deter you.
Let me be your guide on this journey.
We have researched and compiled all the relevant information, tips, and what to avoid to help you get successfully sponsored in Australia.
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1. What is a Sponsored Job in Australia?
A sponsored job in Australia provides a temporary visa to an individual that allows you the right to live and work in Australia for a period of up to 4 years. A sponsored job can lead to Permanent Residency and Citizenship.
The most common types of sponsorship visas in Australia are
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Subclass 187
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa, Subclass 489
The most common and often considered easiest visa to obtain is the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS) Subclass 482. Let’s explore more about this visa in the next section.
1.1 Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) Visa Subclass 482 (Previously known as a 457 Visa)
Australia has a large number of skill shortages that they are unable to fill from the current labour market in Australia. This has resulted in the Australian Government creating a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa. This Visa is aimed at attracting skilled workers from outside the current Australian Labour Market to fill the skill shortage.
The Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa (TSS Visa: subclass 482) allows you to work and live here in Australia for a period of up to four years. There is a huge number of skilled jobs spread across a large number of industries and professions.
There are three paths you can apply for with this visa depending on the skills shortage requirements at the time of applying. I cover them below:
1.1.1 TSS 482 Visa – Short Term Stream
This visa is a great option because there are a higher number of occupations listed compared to the medium-term stream and is considered easier to obtain than the Medium-Term Stream.
To be eligible for this visa you must have a minimum of two years relevant work experience and be sponsored by a registered employer. Your skill must be listed on the short term skilled occupation list.
Once this visa is granted you can work for the sponsored employer for a period of up to two years with the option to extend the visa for up to 4 years.
You can find more details about this visa on the Australian Government Website.
1.1.2 TSS 482 Visa – Medium-Term Stream
This Visa allows you to work for a sponsored employer for up to 4 years and provides a pathway to residency and citizenship.
To be eligible for this visa you must have a minimum of two years relevant work experience and be sponsored by a registered employer. Your skill must be listed on the medium and long-term strategic skills list and your employer must be willing to sponsor you for a term of four years.
You can also study while you work with this visa, however, you won’t be entitled to government support. You can find more details about this visa on the Australian Government Website.
1.1.3 Labour Agreement Stream
Sometimes, an Australian business agrees with the Australian Government to sponsor a specific number of skilled overseas workers to cope with identified or potential skill shortages in the workforce.
If your sponsorship is approved you can live and work in Australia for up to four years (contingent on the conditions of your visa).
The great thing about the TSS visa is that it allows you to bring family members (on a subsequent 482 entrant visa). You can also create a path to permanent Residency and Citizenship with this visa.
You can find more details about this visa here on the Australian Government Website.
Watch this video featuring the top 3 tips for landing a sponsored job in Australia by Nadine Meyers. If you’re eyeing the TSS 482 (previously known as 457 Visa) and want to make the process a breeze, these top 3 tips.
2. Types of Sponsorship Jobs
There are several different types of jobs from a wide range of industries that can be sponsored in Australia. Let me share with you some of the sought-after roles, each accompanied by its corresponding ANZCO code. These codes are like keys, organizing and categorizing job classifications in both Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, I’ve included links for more in-depth information on each job.
Accounting jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Cooking & Chef jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
- Chef ANZSCO Code 351311
Health Care Assistant Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Please note: There is a vast range of healthcare job roles that offer visa sponsorship jobs in Australia, I have only listed a few above bu you can search for your specific Healthcare role to find your specific profession.
Software Jobs in Australia with visa Sponsorship
Other Jobs in Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Don’t see your job listed above? Not to worry there are 674 different job role types listed on the Skilled Occupation List (as at May 2023). You can Search for your specific job here.
Tip
If your specific job role doesn’t appear in the search try searching the industry or similar job roles to achieve faster results.
3. Benefits in Working in a Sponsorship Jobs in Australia
There are several great benefits of working in a Sponsorship Job in Australia. I have talked to some people who are currently being sponsored or have been sponsored in the past and these are the most common benefits.
Ability to Stay in Australia for up to 4 years – Australia is a great place to live and work and provides a great work-life balance. Being sponsored allows you to enjoy the great country for up to 4 years which is longer than the majority of other visa options.
Good Job Security – If an employer is willing to sponsor you this means they have gone through a few extra steps than they would have if it was a regular employee. This shows their commitment to continue employing you.
High Salaries – Salaries for each professional are high in Australia compared to most countries, meaning you can earn a great salary or wage. This means you can afford to have a great work-life balance.
Pathway to Residency and Citizenship – There are pathways to residency through sponsorship meaning you can live and work in Australia without restrictions and create a life in the future.
Faster Residency Applications – Applications for people who are applying for residency and who are already on a sponsored visa are processed faster.
4. How Sponsorship Jobs Work (The Real Deal)
The truth is getting a sponsorship job is not an easy process but it can be done. There are many pitfalls people don’t realize that slow you down or can demotivate you.
When searching for a sponsorship job you should take note of the following:
- Not Every Employer is eligible to Sponsor Employees
Even if the job is listed on the Skills shortage list, the Business has to meet certain requirements that are specific to the industry to be able to sponsor someone. Examples of this might be the business needs to have an annual revenue of 1 Million Dollars or needs to employ a minimum of 20 staff.
- Employers Have to Register to Become a Sponsor
Even if the company is interested in sponsoring you, they have to register first with the Australian Government To become a Standard Business Sponsor. There is a fair amount of supporting evidence and paperwork that needs to be filled and the Business sponsorship status lasts for 5 years and needs to be reapplied for at the end of this period.
If you find an employer that is already registered to sponsor an employee it will make it so much easier for you. They have likely been through the sponsorship process before and are more willing to take on another sponsored employee. The Registry for Accredited Sponsors details businesses that have been accredited for sponsorship in Australia.
Please note: The above registry is dated September 2023. If the business is not listed in the above registry it may have gained Accreditation after this date or be registered as a Standard Business Sponsor.
A lot of people searching for a sponsorship job are unaware of these details so knowing this will save you a lot of time contacting ineligible businesses.
5. How to Get Sponsored in Australia
Getting sponsored in Australia can be a little (or a lot) different to other jobs you have applied for. It isn’t as simple as applying for an advertised job with your Resume and/or Cover Letter like you would a job in your home country.
There are a few differences that once you understand will help your sponsorship search a lot easier. Let’s explore how you can look attractive to get sponsored.
5.1 Looking Attractive for Sponsorship
There are many ways you can look attractive to an Employer to improve your chances at a sponsorship Job in Australia.
Let’s take a look at what a successful Sponsored person has done.
5.1.1 Attractive Resume (CV) or Cover Letter
Sounds obvious but most people looking at getting sponsored get it completely wrong. The Australian Resume (CV) and cover letter look and read a lot differently to North-America and European styles and are expected to contain certain information in a specific style and length. You have to think from an employer perspective they receive hundreds of applicants, your resume needs to be well-formatted, easy to read and eye-catching.
For this reason, it is recommended to have your Resume professionally written to make you stand out when applying for jobs in Australia. You can download our free guide where we laid out how to make your Resume(CV) Aussie-ready.
Other common errors people put in their resume are an overseas address or the resume is too long.
5.1.2 Are in Australia or have the Ability to Travel to Australia for Interviews
Although it is possible to have video conferencing and online interviews being in Australia makes a huge difference. Many employers will want to meet you in person before committing to a sponsorship. The employer has a lot more hoops to jump through to sponsor you compared to a regular employee and it makes it a lot more riskier to them if you are not in Australia or worse never been to Australia before.
5.1.3 Linkedin Profile
As well as having a dynamic eye-catching Resume and cover letter you need to create yourself an excellent Linkedin profile. Many Potential employers may want to find out more about you. The first place they search is usually LinkedIn. Look at other people’s Linkedin profiles to see what aspects look attractive or are done well and use this in your profile. You can also use a recruitment consultant or professional to help you create a dynamic Linkedin Profile.
5.2 Tapping into the Australian Sponsorship Market
Not all employers advertise for jobs, sometimes they hire based on recommendations or industry contacts. Tap into as many industry contacts as you can. If you know someone working within your industry in Australia, don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
Grow your network of connections and put your name out there that you want to get sponsored in Australia. Let them know if they hear anything to pass on the information.
Try and find some expats from your country of origin. Expats are likely to have been through the same process of sponsorship and should be willing to help a fellow person from their country of origin secure sponsorship. They are also likely to have industry contacts that can assist you in getting sponsored. The more contacts you have the better.
Don’t know where to start? LinkedIn or other social networks could be a great way to search for contacts and connect.
6. Steps to Getting Sponsorship Jobs in Australia
There are some excellent steps you can take that will help you to get sponsored in Australia. I have spoken to several recruitment agencies and people who have gotten sponsored these are our top 10 best steps to getting sponsored.
1. Examine the Skills occupation list closely
Identify which jobs are on the skills occupation list that align with the skill set and knowledge that you already have or can quickly achieve. Identify which jobs are in demand that have the skills that you have and target these jobs. Remember the skilled occupation list gets updated regularly (every 6 months or so) so keep an eye on any updates or changes.
2. Be flexible in your approach and the jobs you consider
Don’t just look for your dream job, you may need to take a position that is not your desired role to land a sponsorship job. However, look at it as a stepping stone, once you have landed a job you can demonstrate your skills to your new employers and may be able to move into your desired role in the future.
3. Searching in the Right Place
Once you’ve identified the jobs you are targeting there are many places that you can search for jobs in Australia. The most popular job advertising websites are
It is best to search on these websites first before expanding your search to other job search platforms.
4. Identify potential employers
Once you’ve identified the jobs you are targeting, search online for potential employers in your industry. Check out their website to see if they’re hiring. Take note of the hiring managers’ details and be sure to contact them directly.
Even if there are no advertised vacancies, send your resume and cover letter to the HR Department. Also, keep an eye on their job vacancies page regularly. Linkedin can also be a great way to short-circuit the process.
5. Target and personalize your correspondence
Although it may seem efficient, Do Not Send the same Resume and Cover letter to hundreds of potential employers. This approach has a very low success rate because it comes off as impersonal and you aren’t willing to put in the time or effort to give a decent proposal.
To be successful you need to target your resume and cover letter to each company specifically. Firstly look at the job advertisement, and make sure you make it clear to them that you have the skills that they are looking for in the role. Do your research, look up the company’s values and goals and be sure to mention some of the company’s core values in your cover letter. As discussed above, having a professionally written resume will make a huge difference.
6. Always follow up on all correspondence
Once you have contacted a potential employer always follow up your correspondence with an email and phone call. Make sure they have received your application, and ask them if there is anything other information they require. Ask when they are expecting to be conducting interviews. Following up with the companies shows that you are interested in working with them and keen for a job.
7. Ask for the job
Even if the company is not advertising a position, don’t be afraid to ask for the job. Don’t let the person fob you off by saying we are not hiring right now, send them your Resume and cover letter regardless. You may have skills or experience that are useful to the company that they don’t currently have or hadn’t considered and they may create a space for you within their company.
Find out who is the best person to talk to and keep calling them and checking in every few weeks or months to see if there are any openings. Once they do have an opening you’re likely to be at the top of the list since you’ve been constantly in contact asking for the job.
8. Find the Best Person to Talk to Who Makes the Hiring Decisions
The person advertising the role might not be the person who makes the hiring decisions; they may just be an administrative person or someone sifting through the Resumes for the good ones. Find out who is the best person to talk to and keep calling them and checking in every few weeks or months to see if there are any openings.
Once they do have an opening you’re likely to be at the top of the list since you’ve been constantly in contact asking for the job.
9. Get some assistance from Recruiters and Recruitment Consultants
Getting professional assistance from recruiters and Recruitment consultants will greatly improve your chances of getting sponsored. This is their job, they have a lot of experience and have many industry contacts and know how to contact and get you an interview.
Do note there is a difference between a recruiter and a recruitment consultant. A recruiter generally lists jobs and interviews candidates. A recruitment consultant on the other hand has a more hands-on approach and will be able to help assist you more closely.
10. Interview Preparation is key to getting the job
Once you’ve landed yourself an interview, it means you’ve probably done the above steps well. The next step is preparing for the interview. This is a highly important part of being successful at the interview and landing the sponsored job. During the interview is your opportunity to show the employer that you are the best person for the job.
Before the interview do lots of research, learn about your role and the company’s key values, and interesting developments that are happening in your industry. Look up on YouTube and other resources on the internet how to interview well. Conduct a few practice interviews with a friend, and film yourself answering questions to see how your body language and speech comes across and how to improve.
If you want to ace your interview, this Indeed video has got you covered with their top-notch interview tips. They dive into everything, from common questions to nailing interview etiquette and follow-up.
7. Final Word
Not everyone can be sponsored under the 482 Visa, but if you are, consider yourself one of the lucky ones! Seize this opportunity and secure that sponsorship job. It opens the door to living and working in Australia for up to 4 years.
There are a lot of mistakes people make when looking for a sponsorship job but if you follow the steps and advice in this guide and use the right approach you will increase your chances as well as saving you a lot of time and effort.
Who can get sponsored?
- People with skills or professions that are in demand
- People who can speak conversational English (if you are from an English speaking country you are probably exempt if not you will have to do IELTS)
- Financial means (enough to support yourself in Australia for a period of time usually AUD$5,000)
Check out other visa options if you are not sure.
Remember thousands of people get sponsored every year so it is possible to be sponsored. You can be one of them!
Who can sponsor me to come to Australia?
To get sponsored, you need to find an employer who is willing to sponsor you and is registered to do so. Although this can be a challenge, there are a number of ways to find employers that can sponsor you.
Who pays for sponsorship in Australia?
Typically, the sponsoring employer carries the responsibility and associated costs of sponsorship. There are other factors that increase the likelihood of being sponsored.
